Chapter 109. Savior of the Bells (2)
[You have shown heroic courage and determination in risking the lives of both the Baron of Prontera and the Viscount of Lacona.
] Sending.]
[A new tribute to you has been created.]
“….”
Hmm finally.
A message pops up in front of your eyes.
Instead of being surprised, Lloyd read the message carefully.
‘Should I say yes?’
He was quite accustomed to having messages come to his mind at moments like this.
Ever since the threat of the locusts was eradicated, I had been looking forward to it in my heart.
‘Because it was an angle where new compliments would come.’
Despite the danger, he saved Yeongji.
However, it is rather disappointing if there is not a single compliment.
Actually, that’s why he deliberately shouted “Captain Fronte” or something and openly announced that he was saving everyone.
‘Otherwise, it won’t be known who saved it. If no one will notice, why set up an achievement?’
As expected, self-PR is important in the world these days.
Thinking so, Lloyd looked at the messages that came to mind one after another.
Ding dong.
[A new tribute < Savior of the Bells > has been created.]
[Savior of the Bells]
[Praise Rating: Local Folklore]
Dark clouds covered the eastern sky.
The fluttering wings of the end.
Cattle died, houses collapsed.
The man cries and the sword is broken.
Thus, the moment when death fell on everyone’s heart.
The moment when everyone in the two territories struggled in despair.
A bell that rang loudly.
Deeng. save livestock.
Deeng. wake up people
Deeng. drive away the apocalypse
We call Him our Savior.
[Praise effect: All the residents of the two territories, Baron Frontera and Viscount Lacona, who suffered the calamity of the locust raid, treat you as their lifelong benefactor. In addition, all insect-type monsters will feel instinctive wariness and fear the moment they see you, and will greatly shrink.] [
Praise area: Baron Frontera, Viscount Lacona]
[Praise duration: 110 years]
[The effect of praise is praise. 24 hours within the receiving area and period. In addition, depending on your actions in the future, the area and period of praise may be expanded, extended, reduced, or shortened.] [
CP provided by praise every month: 3]
[Current CP: 2]
‘Woah.’
Be the savior of the bell.
The effect was as great as the grandiose name.
‘Is it that he became the most respected person in the region?’
And that wasn’t all.
‘To summarize the effect of the option, it means that all insect-type monsters are automatically atrophied.’
When you think about it, it was a great thing.
It was because the size of the monster was not defined in detail in that option description.
‘That means there are no standards for size or other conditions. It just means that all insect-like forms are subject to that option. In other words, even a Giga Titan who fought in Cremo would get scared and run away when he saw me.’
If it were in Korea, he would have been the type of talent that ×SCO would covet with their mouths watering.
No, even here, that option would be useful forever.
‘I’ve been badly entangled with insect-type monsters a lot of times. until now.’
If you think about it, it really was.
Even wild ants.
Giga Titan too.
Even locusts.
All of them were the ones who caused the greatest danger.
But what if you had that option of praise at the time you were in conflict with them?
Victory could have been much easier.
There would have been less risking their lives.
‘Besides, it would be perfect for catching mosquitoes that came into the bedroom at night.’
In a way, that might be the best option.
Lloyd smiled happily and closed the message window.
I looked across the table.
The baron and his wife were having dinner there.
Both the baron and the baroness were happy.
I was moving my fork while enjoying a moment of peaceful evening.
Indeed, it must be so.
Yeongji faced an unprecedented disaster.
In such a hopeless situation, the son played a heroic role.
How can you be happy?
How can you not be happy?
Lloyd was able to fully understand the hearts of the baron couple.
But that’s it, and preparation for the future is preparation.
So it was.
“Hey, I’m sorry to say this, but it won’t be over yet.”
He looked at the empty salad plate and spoke.
The conversation between the baron and his wife, who had been happily sharing each other, stopped.
Soon, I feel the gaze of the two returning this way.
Along with the voice of the baroness who was worried.
“Oops. Would you like some more salad?”
“….”
“Don’t speak. it’s not the end Well, that won’t fill the quantity. The travel poison accumulated from coming all the way here from the royal capital must have lessened.”
The baroness took the plate from this side and served it with plenty of salad.
Looking at the returned plate, there are far more meat than vegetables.
“If it’s not enough, say it again. How much trouble have you had today?”
“Uh um, this isn’t the end….”
“Would you like some sausages too?”
“….”
My heart thumps arbitrarily.
Memory is such a problem.
Why are all mothers like this?
I forcibly put aside the thought of my mother that came to my mind for a moment.
He coughed loudly and brushed off his awkward expression.
“Kuh hmm! Uhm, that’s not really because I have something to tell you two.”
“What do you want to say?”
the baron asked
The baroness stopped the tongs for the salad.
It seems that both of them felt that it was not just about food.
Lloyd said to the baron couple.
“I’m sorry for saying this while you are happy and relieved. It’s like pouring cold water on me. But I think I’ll have to feel that kind of joy and relief later. Both you and me.”
“…Is there anything else going on?”
“yes.”
“Is this something that will happen in the future?”
“yes.”
“Can you elaborate?”
“Sure.”
The baron’s serious gaze.
Receiving those eyes, Lloyd opened his mouth.
“Yesterday’s calamity was truly dreadful. Fortunately, though, it went well. But this will be the real beginning. Let me tell you the reason and circumstances in detail….”
elaborately explained.
Just like when I told King Alicia the whole story of this situation in the royal capital.
What he knew from reading the Iron Blood article.
Based on that, I reasoned and figured out the facts.
sorted out step by step.
concisely explained.
“…So from now on, there will be more invasions like the one before.”
“How many times?”
“yes.”
“that is….”
“I’m guessing at least three to seven at most.”
“….”
The baron and his wife’s complexion turned pale.
It was a bonus that the warm and peaceful dinner time just a moment ago quickly turned into a suspenseful atmosphere for a special disaster drama.
“Huh. What should I do with this…. Then how about leaving the territory like this?”
“That’s not okay.”
Lloyd shook his head resolutely.
“You have to keep that in mind. If we lose the territory, everything is over.”
“Is everything over?”
“yes.”
It was true.
I could not abandon this territory and run away.
This is a jar of honey that contains one’s dreams, hopes, peaceful remaining life, and affluent old age.
But what if you give up because monsters are coming?
What if you leave it to ruin?
So what if this place becomes a wasteland and all the residents die or leave?
‘You’ll lose your manor. Some might say that it’s okay to run away safely and later establish a new territory in the clearing, but this isn’t a game. That would be impossible.’
The lord’s family gave up the territory.
He withdrew without facing the danger.
I ran away to save my life.
If that happens, no villager will ever trust the lord’s family.
No matter how much money they spend to improve farmland and prepare a place, residents will hardly gather.
No, before that, it was obvious that he would be subjected to tremendous scrutiny from the royal family.
‘Because the territory is a fief bestowed by the king to his subjects.’
It is a land that is responsible and managed on behalf of the king.
But what about throwing it away and running away?
It was like giving up the right to manage the land.
It means you will lose your land forever.
“So fleeing should be left as the last option to choose when you really want to die. First of all, the priority is to protect the territory here unconditionally.”
I don’t want to lose my estate.
I don’t want to be called to the royal capital because I have lost my place.
If that were the case, he would have no choice but to accept a government post with the king’s heartfelt consolation.
For the rest of my life, I would die of old age doing only what the king told me to do.
I never wanted to refrain from that.
Because I have already lived through a life where I had to live like that, to the point where I was sick of it in Korea.
Could it be because of the strong will of this side?
The baron also nodded with a firm expression.
“I know what you mean. I heard that you are completely right.”
“It is.”
thank god.
The baron, who seemed frightened for a moment, hardened his heart.
Then from now on, it’s worth trying.
But this time, the baron’s heart seemed a little overly(?) hardened.
“So you run away.”
“…yes?”
“Didn’t you say that from now on, countless monsters and monsters would attack the territory again like locusts? So it is.”
“what….”
“If you need measurements and designs for defense, just do that. ASAP.”
“Are you saying to just leave the work behind and run away?”
“It is.”
The baron said it was natural.
“Do you even need to take the risk? It’s already enough to take such a reckless risk this time. No, on the contrary, this father is sorry and ashamed of you. So from now on you will be in a safe place. Don’t be reckless anymore, leave the risk to your father.”
It was the baron’s stern voice that one would rarely hear.
That’s why I felt the baron’s heart that much.
The sincerity of wanting to keep this side safe even if oneself is in danger.
“….”
Heartbreaking again.
Why do I think of my father at times like this?
Saying it’s okay even if you have a lot of debt, don’t worry and focus only on your college studies.
It reminded me of my father who worked hard and spoke strictly.
‘Actually, it’s the scariest and most difficult thing.’
Is it a common feature of people called fathers that they dare to handle everything alone like that?
Lloyd took a deep breath.
I suppressed the emotions that were about to spill out.
And said to the baron.
“But that would not be enough.”
“Unsatisfactory…say?”
“yes.”
“Did you think that this father would not be able to protect the territory?”
“It is not. Just-”
“Just?”
“It will be much easier if we keep it together. So I promise you.”
“What is a promise?”
“If it becomes really dangerous, I will be the first to run away. without looking back. far away to a safe place. How is it?”
“…Are you willing to keep that promise?”
“of course.”
Naturally.
No matter how much Youngji is said to be a honey pot, it is not more important than life.
When the moment I really think I’m going to die comes, I’ll be the first to run away.
Thinking so, Lloyd said.
“So, don’t tell me to run away in advance. I have something to ask of you instead.”
“Please. What was it?”
“Please arrange as many hands as possible.”
“Is it to reduce the time to build defense facilities?”
“yes. It needs more workers than just the villagers and sappers. Especially those who are strong and have strong stamina. That’s why.”
Lloyd looked at the baron.
With a grin, the baron calmly said something that would frighten him.
“After dinner, call the White Lancer Captain. And let me know. I mean, starting tomorrow, all of the White Lancers will be incorporated into the Corps of Engineers in our territory.”
“…what?”
gulp.
For a moment, he made a promise to do nothing to protect the territory.
‘Of course, I, the lord of the territory, have been handed over command, but what about the troops dispatched by His Highness?’
Then the lancer captain would be very angry.
But Lloyd spoke even more brazenly.
“Of course you are worried. You may be concerned about how to say it. However, this is something I, not the lord, cannot ask for. It is also something that must be done.”
“By all means. Why?”
“It’s an opportunity to secure 500 workers with plenty of stamina.”
Lloyd’s words continued.
“A group of monsters after the locusts will come soon. They will need their shovel for that.”
“Shoveling?”
“yes. Not just this time. Looking to the future, they have to hone their shoveling even more at this opportunity for the bigger picture I am drawing. You should get used to shoveling in advance. So you must succeed in persuasion. And if he gets angry….”
“What if?”
Baron Prontera asked hastily.
Wouldn’t his son tell me something tricks?
I longed for a glimmer of hope and waited for Lloyd’s answer.
Lloyd grinned.
“You can shamelessly open the iron plate.”
“….”
“You can.”
“….”
“go for it.”
“….”
can i do that
Baron Prontera’s neck bobbed up and down.
